Great Britain will return to the UK with the silver medal from the U20 World Championship Division II Group A in Kaunas.
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GB and Croatia finished on 12 points in the group but Croatia win gold and promotion to Division I on the head-to-head record after beating GB 7-4 earlier in the tournament.
That was Britain’s only defeat and Martin Grubb’s side won their other four matches, beating Lithuania (4-3), Romania (9-0), Netherlands (7-0) and rounding off with a 3-1 victory over Spain today.
Anything less than a regulation-time victory for Croatia this evening would’ve seen GB promoted, but Croatia beat Romania 5-4 to ensure the gold medal.
Croatia led 4-0 at one stage but Romania fought back to tie the game at 4-4, before Vito Idzan scored the game-winner at 54:49 and the goal that put Croatia in Division I.
GB Under-20s results
Sunday 11th December: Lithuania 3-4 Great Britain – Hopkins 2, Hamill, Harewood
Tuesday 13th December: Great Britain 4-7 Croatia – Harewood, Lindgren, Hazeldine, Endicott
Wednesday 14th December: Great Britain 9-0 Romania – Stewart 3, Steele 2, McBean 2, Hopkins, Mitchell-King
Friday 16th December: Netherlands 0-7 Great Britain – McBean 2, Harewood, Lindgren, Stewart, Francis, Hopkins
Saturday 17th December: Great Britain 3-1 Spain – Steele, Hamill, Hopkins